Nanxing College stood in the northeastern corner of Qingyue City, while the Ye Family's estate was located on the opposite side, in the southwest. Even though Ye Wei had become a two-star apprentice and was far stronger and faster than the average person, it would still take him five to six hours on foot to reach home—unless, of course, he used a carriage or some other transport.
In Qingyue City, three main modes of transportation were popular: the common carriage, the pricier beast-drawn cart, and the rare and luxurious road vehicle. Carriages typically cost anywhere between a thousand and three thousand silver. The beast carts, drawn by domesticated savage beasts, were more expensive—the cheapest starting at five thousand silver. As for the road vehicle, it couldn't be bought with mere money.
Unlike ordinary carriages or even beast carts, a road vehicle didn't rely on animals at all. Constructed entirely from rare metals, it was embedded with divine runes engraved by master Rune Engravers. These runes drew on the energy of heaven and earth, allowing the vehicle to move quickly and smoothly. In all of Qingyue City, only a handful of elite individuals could afford to own one.
The Ye Family owned a beast cart pulled by a rare hybrid creature—part unicorn, part green steed—worth forty thousand silver. This unicorn hybrid had both endurance and speed, without the uncontrollable temper of purebred horned beasts. It was considered an entry-level savage beast vehicle.
"One day... I'll get a road vehicle of my own!" Ye Wei muttered as he walked along the sun-scorched road, the heat beating down on his face. Sweat glistened on his brow as he watched carriages, beast carts, and even the occasional road vehicle pass by. When pedestrians in the distance saw a road vehicle approaching, they would quickly make way.
Ye Wei wiped his forehead, his eyes following the luxurious vehicles with a mixture of admiration and yearning. But in truth, he was just dreaming. Road vehicles weren't for sale, and even beast carts were a luxury he had never experienced.
The summer heat was suffocating. Even with the enhanced physique of a two-star apprentice, Ye Wei couldn't yet use his vital energy to ward off the oppressive temperature. Still, despite the sweat and exhaustion, his face wore a quiet smile. He would see his parents soon.
By the time the sun began to set behind the western hills, Ye Wei had covered over half the distance home. Back at Nanxing College, the bell signaling the start of a three-day holiday echoed through the campus. Students began flooding out of their classrooms, excited for their break.
But inside the junior third class, something else was happening.
The moment the instructor left, a group of senior students with formidable auras blocked the classroom entrance. Each of them was at least an eight-star apprentice, and at the front stood a young man in white robes—calm, imposing, and unmistakably powerful.
This was Du Mingze, the top student of Senior Class Five and ranked fifteenth on the entire Nanxing student roll. He was also one of the most fervent admirers of Miss Zi Yan.
Three days ago, Ye Wei had walked alongside Miss Zi Yan in public, and in front of Qingyi Temple no less, she had even linked arms with him. Word of that moment had spread like wildfire through the academy.
Miss Zi Yan's fanatical admirers had been searching for Ye Wei ever since, turning Nanxing College upside down in the process.
"I'm looking for Ye Wei. The rest of you—scram!"
Du Mingze's voice was like ice, his eyes scanning the classroom. Instantly, whispers broke out among the students.
"That's Du Mingze… he's already a full-fledged warrior!"
"Why's he looking for Ye Wei? Ye Wei's in trouble now…"
"Du Mingze's family is one of the Three Great Clans! Not even Ye Wei's talent for divine runes can save him from this…"
The students filed out quickly, heads bowed in fear. No one dared stay behind—except one: Xiao Qi.
Though calm on the surface, Xiao Qi was grinning inwardly. Ye Wei's sudden rise had left him feeling bitter and powerless. But now, seeing someone like Du Mingze come looking for Ye Wei, he felt deeply gratified.
But then Xiao Qi realized something. Ye Wei hadn't attended class in three days.
"He must be hiding in his dormitory!" Xiao Qi concluded. Nanxing College strictly prohibited disturbing students during cultivation, which meant dormitories were usually safe zones—even tutors couldn't just barge in.
Seeing the classroom nearly empty, Du Mingze stepped forward, his cold gaze locking onto the only student still inside.
"You. Are you Ye Wei?" he asked, his voice dripping with menace.
Xiao Qi paled. "N-No! I'm Xiao Qi. My father is Instructor Xiao Hanji from Senior Class Five. I just wanted to say, Ye Wei hasn't shown up in class for three days. I think he's hiding in his dormitory. I know where it is!"
Du Mingze's expression softened slightly. As Xiao Hanji's prized student, he had no issue showing Xiao Qi some courtesy.
"Miss Zi Yan was teaching our class," Xiao Qi added, quickly spinning a tale. "Ye Wei kept dozing off, even dared to correct her divine rune demonstration in front of everyone… He made her look bad. She took him away after class. I think she's protecting him."
He stopped short—worried he might've said too much. While the Du Family was powerful, a true divine rune master was not someone they'd casually offend.
"I don't like half-truths," Du Mingze said coldly, letting a faint pressure roll off his body like a mountain. Xiao Qi staggered back several steps, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Yes, yes!" he stammered. "I'll take you to Ye Wei's dorm right now!"
Du Mingze nodded. "Good. And if anyone gives you trouble in this school, feel free to use my name."
Xiao Qi's heart soared. Backing from Du Mingze? He couldn't have asked for more.
With Xiao Qi leading the way, the group headed straight for Ye Wei's dormitory.
"That's it," Xiao Qi said, pointing at a closed door.
Du Mingze gave a slight nod. One of the muscular seniors—an eight-star apprentice—stepped forward and threw a powerful punch at the door.
Boom! The door shattered open.
Inside was a small, plain room: a wooden bed, a table, and nothing else.
"He's not here?"
Xiao Qi was stunned. Ye Wei wasn't in his dormitory after all.
"Wreck it," Du Mingze growled.
Without hesitation, the senior students ransacked the room. They smashed the bed, overturned the table, and left nothing untouched. Still unsatisfied, Du Mingze sneered.
"Piss on his bed."
The order was followed. And only then, feeling somewhat appeased, did Du Mingze finally turn and walk away.